So I’m finally getting around to posting my review of the newest Harry Potter book. Diana came with me to pick it up at Ariel’s in New Paltz at their midnight release for the book. It was cute seeing the kids dress up and such, but there seemed to be a lot less to it then there was at the last release party. On the other hand though, they were MUCH more organized at the release. Within about a minute of midnight, I had the book and Diana and I were driving home.
Of course, after getting home, I read until about 3AM. As with the last two books, I just couldn’t put it down until the thought of being tired even if I woke up at noon got to me. Over the course of Saturday and Sunday I finished reading the book (much of that reading done in the comfortable chair in the corner at the Mudd Puddle).
I really did enjoy the book, though not enough as I enjoyed book five. I felt that certain scenes (like ALL of the flashback scenes to Voldemort’s past) were a bit overlong. When I thought back on it after I finished the book, I realized Rowling was trying to show that in many ways Voldemort and Harry were alike, but at the same time as different as can be. I also found the endless obsessing over Malfoy a little tiresome, considering he was able to do nothing about it in the end. The book is dark – minor characters and their friends and familiy are dying left and right. Yes, the book is dark because it has to be. It is the one before the inevitable final struggle between Harry and Voldemort. I guess there were some things to nitpick about in the book, but the worst thing about it was finding that it was finished, and the start of the long wait for the seventh book. I don’t expect book seven to come out until at late 2007 and most likely mid 2008. But, I am a long time reader of fantasy series. I’m used to waiting, even if I do not like it.
Book five, though considerably longer, never seemed slow at all.
